Sam Allardyce is thick skinned and unlikely to be bothered about winning any popularity contest.

Opinions are unlikely to change regardless of the outcome of what is a desperate roll of the dice.

He has huge experience of dealing with struggling squads and discontented fanbases, but the predicament Leeds are in is probably unparalleled even for him.

You would expect an Allardyce side to fight to the death, but fire and brimstone can only take you so far if the basics - like defending properly - are lacking.

Sam Allardyce will earn a bonus of more than £2.5m if he can secure Leeds United's top-flight status and has asked former Oxford United manager Karl Robinson to be his assistant at Elland Road. (Times - subscription required, external)

Fulham are planning to hold talks with Leeds over a permanent deal for winger Dan James. (Football Insider, external)